Lessons in the Proverbs of Solomon

Lesson 1: Blessings come to the righteous, destruction comes to the wicked

10:3 The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,

but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

10:6 Blessings crown the head of the righteous,

but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.

10:16 The wages of the righteous is life,

but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.

10:24 What the wicked dread will overtake them;

what the righteous desire will be granted.

10:25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,

but the righteous stand firm forever.

10:28 The prospect of the righteous is joy,

but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.

10:30 The righteous will never be uprooted,

but the wicked will not remain in the land.

11:19 Truly the righteous attain life,

but whoever pursues evil finds death.

11:21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,

but those who are righteous will go free.

11:23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,

but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.

11:27 Whoever seeks good finds favor,

but evil comes to one who searches for it.

11:31 If the righteous receive their due on earth,

how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

12:3 No one can be established through wickedness,

but the righteous cannot be uprooted.

12:28 In the way of righteousness there is life;

along that path is immortality.

13:9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,

but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

13:21 Trouble pursues the sinner,

but the righteous are rewarded with good things

13:25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,

but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.

14:11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,

but the tent of the upright will flourish.

14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation,

but sin condemns any people.

15:6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure,

but the income of the wicked brings ruin.

16:7 When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way,

he causes their enemies to make peace with them.

18:3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt,

and with shame comes reproach.

19:16 Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life,

but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.

20:7 The righteous lead blameless lives;

blessed are their children after them.

21:12 The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked

and brings the wicked to ruin

26:3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,

and a rod for the backs of fools!

29:6 Evildoers are snared by their own sin,

but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.

11:17 Those who are kind benefit themselves,

but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

14:14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,

and the good rewarded for theirs.

16:4 The Lord works out everything to its proper end—

even the wicked for a day of disaster.

17:11 Evildoers foster rebellion against God;

the messenger of death will be sent against them.

17:13 Evil will never leave the house

of one who pays back evil for good.

19:29 Penalties are prepared for mockers,

and beatings for the backs of fools.

21:15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous

but terror to evildoers.

22:8 Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity,

and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.

26:2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,

an undeserved curse does not come to rest.

26:27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it;

if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.

29:16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin,

and the righteous will witness their downfall.

12:7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more,

but the house of the righteous stands firm.

Lesson 2: Blessings come to those who are diligent, but the lazy will never be fulfilled

10:4 Lazy hands make for poverty,

but diligent hands bring wealth.

12:11 Those who work their land will have abundant food,

but those who chase fantasies have no sense.

10:5 He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,

but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.

12:24 Diligent hands will rule,

but laziness ends in forced labor.

12:27 The lazy do not roast any game,

but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.

13:4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,

but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

14:23 All hard work brings a profit,

but mere talk leads only to poverty.

15:19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,

but the path of the upright is a highway.

10:26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,

so are sluggards to those who send them.

19:15 Laziness brings on deep sleep,

and the shiftless go hungry.

20:4 Sluggards do not plow in season;

so at harvest time they look but find nothing.

21:5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit

as surely as haste leads to poverty.

21:25 The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him,

because his hands refuse to work.

26:14 As a door turns on its hinges,

so a sluggard turns on his bed.

26:15 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;

he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.

28:19 Those who work their land will have abundant food,

but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.

18:9 One who is slack in his work

is brother to one who destroys.

16:26 The appetite of laborers works for them;

their hunger drives them on.

20:13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;

stay awake and you will have food to spare.

14:1 The wise woman builds her house,

but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Lesson 3: Wise children are of great value, foolish children are a disgrace to their parents

10:1 A wise son brings joy to his father,

but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

17:21 To have a fool for a child brings grief;

there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.

17:25 A foolish son brings grief to his father

and bitterness to the mother who bore him.

19:26 Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother

is a child who brings shame and disgrace.

28:7 A discerning son heeds instruction,

but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.

Lesson 4: Respect your parents and the elders before you

11:29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,

and the fool will be servant to the wise.

13:1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,

but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.

15:20 A wise son brings joy to his father,

but a foolish man despises his mother.

20:20 If someone curses their father or mother,

their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.

27:8 Like a bird that flees its nest

is anyone who flees from home.

28:24 Whoever robs their father or mother

and says, “It’s not wrong,”

is partner to one who destroys.

Lesson 5: Wisdom comes easily to the prudent, but fools find nothing

17:4 A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;

a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

14:18 The simple inherit folly,

but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

17:16 Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom,

when they are not able to understand it?

19:28 A corrupt witness mocks at justice,

and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.

28:5 Evildoers do not understand what is right,

but those who seek the Lord understand it fully

14:6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,

but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

Lesson 6: The Lord is a refuge for the righteous but is the destruction of the wicked

15:29 The Lord is far from the wicked,

but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

18:10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;

the righteous run to it and are safe.

10:29 The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless,

but it is the ruin of those who do evil.

Lesson 7: The wicked live in fear but the righteous have courage

22:13 The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside!

I’ll be killed in the public square!”

26:13 A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road,

a fierce lion roaming the streets!”

28:1 The wicked flee though no one pursues,

but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

Lesson 8: The righteous are respected but the wicked are looked upon with contempt and feared

10:7 The name of the righteous is used in blessings,

but the name of the wicked will rot.

11:10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;

when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

11:11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,

but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.

11:20 The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,

but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.

12:8 A person is praised according to their prudence,

and one with a warped mind is despised.

14:17 A quick-tempered person does foolish things,

and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.

15:9 The Lord detests the way of the wicked,

but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

15:26 The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked,

but gracious words are pure in his sight.

21:27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—

how much more so when brought with evil intent!

28:12 When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;

but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.

28:28 When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;

but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.

29:2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;

when the wicked rule, the people groan.

29:27 The righteous detest the dishonest;

the wicked detest the upright.

11:26 People curse the one who hoards grain,

but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.

Lesson 9: Be humble

12:9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant

than pretend to be somebody and have no food.

13:7 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;

another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

27:2 Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;

an outsider, and not your own lips.

16:19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed

than to share plunder with the proud.

21:24 The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker” is his name—

behaves with insolent fury.

Lesson 10: A wise person accepts instruction, discipline, and advice

10:8 The wise in heart accept commands,

but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

10:17 Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,

but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

but whoever hates correction is stupid.

12:15 The way of fools seems right to them,

but the wise listen to advice.

13:10 Where there is strife, there is pride,

but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

13:13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,

but whoever respects a command is rewarded.

13:18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,

but whoever heeds correction is honored.

15:5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,

but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

15:12 Mockers resent correction,

so they avoid the wise.

15:31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction

will be at home among the wise.

15:32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,

but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.

16:20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,

and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.

19:20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,

and at the end you will be counted among the wise.

19:25 Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence;

rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge.

19:27 Stop listening to instruction, my son,

and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

25:12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold

is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.

28:4 Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,

but those who heed it resist them.

28:9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,

even their prayers are detestable.

29:1 Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes

will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.

29:18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;

but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.

12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

but whoever hates correction is stupid.

15:10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;

the one who hates correction will die.

Lesson 11: Walking with wisdom and integrity keeps your path straight but corruption and wickedness leads you astray

4:19 the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;

they do not know what makes them stumble.

10:9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,

but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.

11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them,

but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

10:27 The fear of the Lord adds length to life,

but the years of the wicked are cut short

11:5 The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,

but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.

11:6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them,

but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.

11:8 The righteous person is rescued from trouble,

and it falls on the wicked instead.

12:12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers,

but the root of the righteous endures.

12:13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,

and so the innocent escape trouble.

12:21 No harm overtakes the righteous,

but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

13:6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity,

but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

13:15 Good judgment wins favor,

but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.

14:22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?

But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.

14:32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,

but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.

15:15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,

but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

15:24 the path of life leads upward for the prudent

to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.

16:6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;

through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.

16:17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;

those who guard their ways preserve their lives.

21:16 Whoever strays from the path of prudence

comes to rest in the company of the dead.

21:22 One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty

and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.

22:5 In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls,

but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.

28:18 The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe,

but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.

Lesson 12: The wise speak words of knowledge but the speech of fools is worthless.

10:11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,

but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence

10:20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,

but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

10:21 The lips of the righteous nourish many,

but fools die for lack of sense.

10:31 from the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom,

but a perverse tongue will be silenced.

10:32 The lips of the righteous know what finds favor,

but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.

11:11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,

but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.

11:9 With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,

but through knowledge the righteous escape.

11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,

and the one who is wise saves lives.

12:6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,

but the speech of the upright rescues them.

12:18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

13:14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,

turning a person from the snares of death.

14:3 A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,

but the lips of the wise protect them.

14:7 Stay away from a fool,

for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

15:2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,

but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

15:7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,

but the hearts of fools are not upright.

26:7 Like the useless legs of one who is lame

is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

17:17 Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—

how much worse lying lips to a ruler!

19:1 Better the poor whose walk is blameless

than a fool whose lips are perverse.

16:23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,

and their lips promote instruction.

18:20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled;

with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.

26:23 Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware

are fervent lips with an evil heart.

26:24 Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,

but in their hearts they harbor deceit.

26:25 Though their speech is charming, do not believe them,

for seven abominations fill their hearts.

26:26 Their malice may be concealed by deception,

but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

12:20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,

but those who promote peace have joy.

13:3 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives,

but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.

15:2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,

but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

15:28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,

but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

17:20 One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper;

one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.

21:23 Those who guard their mouths and their tongues

keep themselves from calamity.

22:11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace

will have the king for a friend.

22:12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,

but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

25:23 Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain

is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.

26:28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts,

and a flattering mouth works ruin.

29:20 Do you see someone who speaks in haste?

There is more hope for a fool than for them.

16:24 Gracious words are a honeycomb,

sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Lesson 13: Do not gossip

16:28 A perverse person stirs up conflict,

and a gossip separates close friends.

18:8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;

they go down to the inmost parts.

20:19 A gossip betrays a confidence;

so avoid anyone who talks too much.

26:20 Without wood a fire goes out;

without a gossip a quarrel dies down.

10:18 Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips

and spreads slander is a fool.

11:13 A gossip betrays a confidence,

but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.

11:12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,

but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.

Lesson 14: love has great value

10:12 Hatred stirs up conflict,

but love covers over all wrongs.

17:9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,

but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

20:28 Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;

through love his throne is made secure

21:21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love

finds life, prosperity and honor.

Lesson 15: It is wise to gain and act upon knowledge and wisdom

10:14 The wise store up knowledge,

but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

13:16 All who are prudent act with knowledge,

but fools expose their folly.

15:14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,

but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

18:15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,

for the ears of the wise seek it out.

19:8 The one who gets wisdom loves life;

the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.

Lesson 16: Silence is gold

10:19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words,

but the prudent hold their tongues.

12:23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,

but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.

17:28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,

and discerning if they hold their tongues.

18:2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding

but delight in airing their own opinions.

18:7 The mouths of fools are their undoing,

and their lips are a snare to their very lives.

18:4 The words of the mouth are deep waters,

but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

Lesson 17: Unjust, wicked schemes seem profitable but are of no value in the end.

10:2 Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value,

but righteousness delivers from death.

10:23 A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,

but a person of understanding delights in wisdom

17:8 A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it;

they think success will come at every turn.

20:17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet,

but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.

21:6 A fortune made by a lying tongue

is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.

28:8 Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor

amasses it for another who will be kind to the poor.

28:16 A tyrannical ruler practices extortion,

but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.

Lesson 18: Be fair

11:1 The Lord detests dishonest scales,

but accurate weights find favor with him.

16:11 Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord;

all the weights in the bag are of his making.

17:15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—

the Lord detests them both.

17:26 If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good,

surely to flog honest officials is not right.

18:5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked

and so deprive the innocent of justice.

20:10 Differing weights and differing measures—

the Lord detests them both.

20:23 The Lord detests differing weights,

and dishonest scales do not please him.

22:16 One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth

and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.

29:14 If a king judges the poor with fairness,

his throne will be established forever.

Lesson 19: Pride comes before a fall but humility comes before honour and wisdom

11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,

but with humility comes wisdom.

15:25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,

but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.

15:33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,

and humility comes before honor.

16:5 The Lord detests all the proud of heart.

Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

16:18 Pride goes before destruction,

a haughty spirit before a fall.

18:12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty,

but humility comes before honor.

21:4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart—

the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.

22:4 Humility is the fear of the Lord;

its wages are riches and honor and life.

26:12 Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?

There is more hope for a fool than for them.

29:23 Pride brings a person low,

but the lowly in spirit gain honor.

Lesson 20: Wealth holds no value compared to righteousness, integrity, and wisdom

11:4 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath,

but righteousness delivers from death.

11:16 A kind-hearted woman gains honor,

but ruthless men gain only wealth.

11:18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

11:28 Those who trust in their riches will fall,

but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

15:16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord

than great wealth with turmoil.

15:17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love

than a fattened calf with hatred.

16:8 Better a little with righteousness

than much gain with injustice.

21:3 To do what is right and just

is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

28:6 Better the poor whose walk is blameless

than the rich whose ways are perverse.

22:1 A good name is more desirable than great riches;

to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

16:16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,

to get insight rather than silver!

Lesson 21: Don’t believe that you can completely map out your life’s path

11:7 Hopes placed in mortals die with them;

all the promise of their power comes to nothing.

14:12 There is a way that appears to be right,

but in the end it leads to death.

16:1 To humans belong the plans of the heart,

but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.

16:2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them,

but motives are weighed by the Lord.

16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do,

and he will establish your plans.

16:9 In their hearts humans plan their course,

but the Lord establishes their steps.

19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart,

but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

20:24 A person’s steps are directed by the Lord.

How then can anyone understand their own way?

21:2 A person may think their own ways are right,

but the Lord weighs the heart.

21:30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan

that can succeed against the Lord.

21:31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,

but victory rests with the Lord.

25:19 Like a broken tooth or a lame foot

is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.

28:26 Those who trust in themselves are fools,

but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.

29:25 The greedy stir up conflict,

but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.

27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow,

for you do not know what a day may bring.

Lesson 22: Better to remain calm and to show self-control than to start a quarrel

11:12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,

but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.

12:16 Fools show their annoyance at once,

but the prudent overlook an insult

15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath,

but a harsh word stirs up anger.

17:14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;

so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

18:1 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends

and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.

20:3 It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,

but every fool is quick to quarrel.

22:10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;

quarrels and insults are ended.

26:21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,

so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.

29:8 Mockers stir up a city,

but the wise turn away anger.

29:11 Fools give full vent to their rage,

but the wise bring calm in the end.

17:1 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet

than a house full of feasting, with strife.

14:29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,

but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

15:18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,

but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.

16:32 Better a patient person than a warrior,

one with self-control than one who takes a city.

17:27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,

and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.

19:11 A person’s wisdom yields patience;

it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.

29:22 An angry person stirs up conflict,

and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.

Lesson 23: It is beneficial to use many advisers and companions

11:14 For lack of guidance a nation falls,

but victory is won through many advisers.

14:28 A large population is a king’s glory,

but without subjects a prince is ruined.

15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,

but with many advisers they succeed.

20:18 Plans are established by seeking advice;

so if you wage war, obtain guidance.

Lesson 24: Don’t deal with strangers

11:15 Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer,

but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.

17:18 One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge

and puts up security for a neighbor.

20:16 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;

hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.

Lesson 25: Blessings comes to those who are generous but disasters strike the greedy

11:24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;

another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

11:25 A generous person will prosper;

whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

15:27 The greedy bring ruin to their households,

but the one who hates bribes will live.

21:26 All day long he craves for more,

but the righteous give without sparing.

14:21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,

but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.

14:31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,

but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

19:17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,

and he will reward them for what they have done.

21:13 Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor

will also cry out and not be answered.

22:9 The generous will themselves be blessed,

for they share their food with the poor.

28:25 The greedy stir up conflict,

but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.

28:27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,

but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.

29:4 By justice a king gives a country stability,

but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.

Lesson 26: A wife of noble character is a gem, a quarrelsome wife is a man’s downfall

12:4 A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown,

but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.

19:14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,

but a prudent wife is from the Lord.

21:9 Better to live on a corner of the roof

than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

21:19 Better to live in a desert

than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.

27:15-16 A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping

of a leaky roof in a rainstorm; restraining her is like restraining the wind

or grasping oil with the hand.

Lesson 27: Be an honest witness

12:17 An honest witness tells the truth,

but a false witness tells lies.

14:5 An honest witness does not deceive,

but a false witness pours out lies.

14:25 A truthful witness saves lives,

but a false witness is deceitful.

19:9 A false witness will not go unpunished,

and whoever pours out lies will perish.

21:28 A false witness will perish,

but a careful listener will testify successfully.

Lesson 28: Tell the truth and do not be deceitful

12:19 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow

is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.

12:22 The Lord detests lying lips,

but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

13:17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,

but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.

25:9-10 If you take your neighbor to court,

do not betray another’s confidence, or the one who hears it may shame you

and the charge against you will stand.

26:18-19 Like a maniac shooting

flaming arrows of death is one who deceives their neighbor

and says, “I was only joking!”

16:13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips;

they value the one who speaks what is right.

25:14 Like clouds and wind without rain

is one who boasts of gifts never given.

19:22 What a person desires is unfailing love;

better to be poor than a liar.

Lesson 29: A heart at peace is refreshing to the soul but a broken one weighs you down

12:25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,

but a kind word cheers it up.

14:30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,

but envy rots the bones.

15:13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,

but heartache crushes the spirit.

17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,

but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

18:14 The human spirit can endure in sickness,

but a crushed spirit who can bear?

20:27 The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord

that sheds light on one’s inmost being.

Lesson 30: Choose your friends and companions wisely

12:26 The righteous choose their friends carefully,

but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise,

for a companion of fools suffers harm.

25:5 remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,

and his throne will be established through righteousness.

26:6 Sending a message by the hands of a fool

is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.

26:10 Like an archer who wounds at random

is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.

29:24 The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies;

they are put under oath and dare not testify.

27:17 As iron sharpens iron,

so one person sharpens another.

Lesson 31: Discipline your children

13:24 Whoever spares the rod hates their children,

but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.

19:18 Discipline your children, for in that there is hope;

do not be a willing party to their death.

22:6 Start children off on the way they should go,

and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,

but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.

29:17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace;

they will bring you the delights you desire

29:15 A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom,

but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.

Lesson 32: Fear of the Lord keeps you walking uprightly

14:2 Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,

but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

14:26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,

and for their children it will be a refuge.

14:27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,

turning a person from the snares of death.

19:23 The fear of the Lord leads to life;

then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

28:14 Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,

but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.

Lesson 33: The prudent consider the path they are on but the foolish pay the price for their lack of discretion

14:15 The simple believe anything,

but the prudent give thought to their steps.

15:21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,

but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

16:22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,

but folly brings punishment to fools.

17:24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,

but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

20:25 It is a trap to dedicate something rashly

and only later to consider one’s vows.

21:29 The wicked put up a bold front,

but the upright give thought to their ways.

22:3 The prudent see danger and take refuge,

but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

25:28 Like a city whose walls are broken through

is a person who lacks self-control.

Lesson 34: With wealth comes many friends

14:20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,

but the rich have many friends.

19:4 Wealth attracts many friends,

but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.

19:6 Many curry favor with a ruler,

and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.

Lesson 35: The lord watches over and has created all things

15:3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,

keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

20:12 Ears that hear and eyes that see—

the Lord has made them both.

22:2 Rich and poor have this in common:

The Lord is the Maker of them all.

29:13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common:

The Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.

Lesson 36: Don’t lead others astray

16:29 A violent person entices their neighbor

and leads them down a path that is not good.

28:10 Whoever leads the upright along an evil path

will fall into their own trap,

but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

Lesson 37: Respect all people a do not wish destruction upon your enemies

17:5 Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker;

whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.

25:21-22 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;

if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,

and the Lord will reward you.

28:3 A ruler who oppresses the poor

is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

29:7 The righteous care about justice for the poor,

but the wicked have no such concern.

Lesson 38: Learn from your mistakes

17:10 A rebuke impresses a discerning person

more than a hundred lashes a fool.

19:19 A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty;

rescue them, and you will have to do it again.

26:11 As a dog returns to its vomit,

so fools repeat their folly.

27:22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar,

grinding them like grain with a pestle,

you will not remove their folly from them.

29:19 Servants cannot be corrected by mere words;

though they understand, they will not respond.

Lesson 39: Avoid being in the presence of fools

17:12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs

than a fool bent on folly.

25:26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well

are the righteous who give way to the wicked.

26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,

or you yourself will be just like him.

26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly,

or he will be wise in his own eyes.

29:9 If a wise person goes to court with a fool,

the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.

20:26 A wise king winnows out the wicked;

he drives the threshing wheel over them.

Lesson 40: Listen before speaking

18:13 To answer before listening—

that is folly and shame.

Lesson 41: Don’t always believe the first source you hear

18:17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right,

until someone comes forward and cross-examines.

Lesson 42: Don’t hurt your family

18:19 A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city;

disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

Lesson 43: Don’t be in a haste to acquire possessions or riches

19:2 Desire without knowledge is not good—

how much more will hasty feet miss the way!

20:21 An inheritance claimed too soon

will not be blessed at the end.

28:22 The stingy are eager to get rich

and are unaware that poverty awaits them.

10:22 The blessing of the Lord brings wealth,

without painful toil for it.

Lesson 44: There’s no one to blame but yourself for your own foolishness

19:3 A person’s own folly leads to their ruin,

yet their heart rages against the Lord.

Lesson 45: Honour and luxury will never come for a fool

19:10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury—

how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!

26:1 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,

honor is not fitting for a fool.

26:8 Like tying a stone in a sling

is the giving of honor to a fool.

Lesson 46: Correction is more valuable than flattery

28:23 Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor

rather than one who has a flattering tongue.

29:5 Those who flatter their neighbors

are spreading nets for their feet.

29:21 A servant pampered from youth

will turn out to be insolent.

27:5 Better is open rebuke

than hidden love.

Lesson 47: Being led astray under the influence of alcohol is not wise

20:1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;

whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

Lesson 48: Loyalty is rare

20:6 Many claim to have unfailing love,

but a faithful person who can find?

Lesson 49: A true friend sticks with you through adversity

18:24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,

but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Lesson 50: Nobody is perfect

20:9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;

I am clean and without sin”?

Lesson 51: Knowledgeable speech is a rare

20:15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,

but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

Lesson 52: Leave vengeance to the Lord

20:22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”

Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.

Lesson 53: Don’t fall in love with pleasure

21:17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;

whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.

Lesson 54: Be smart with your possessions and save them up

27:23-24 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,

give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever,

and a crown is not secure for all generations.

21:20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil,

but fools gulp theirs down.

Lesson 55: Too much of a good thing is a bad thing

25:16 If you find honey, eat just enough—

too much of it, and you will vomit.

25:27 It is not good to eat too much honey,

nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.

Lesson 56: Familiarity breeds contempt

25:17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—

too much of you, and they will hate you.

Lesson 57: Those wise in their own eyes look like fools to others

26:16 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes

than seven people who answer discreetly.

28:11 The rich are wise in their own eyes;

one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.

Lesson 58: Mind your own business

26:17 Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears

is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.

Lesson 59: Jealousy is worse than anger

27:4 Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,

but who can stand before jealousy?

Lesson 60: Admit your mistakes

28:13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,

but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

Lesson 61: Reply swiftly

15:23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—

and how good is a timely word!